Unrealistic Gym Excuses Debunked

I'm the first to acknowledge that I'm not a fitness aficionado. I'm more acquainted with a jazz square than jazzercise. In middle school track meets, I would opt for shot put just to dodge running.

And yes, I once pretended to faint during soccer practice to leave early—even though my dad was the coach.

In recent years, I've embarked on a fitness exploration to discover workouts that suit me.

From hot yoga and weightlifting to obstacle course racing, skateboarding, and even pickleball, I've learned quite a bit about fitness. Along the way, I've also noticed some misconceptions about exercising.

Whether you were a basketball team star, a theater standout, or somewhere in the middle (I'm looking at you, Troy Bolton), here's what I've gathered:

Myth #1: Exercising means punishing yourself at the gym.

This may come as a surprise, but if the gym intimidates you, it's perfectly okay not to go! Instead, consider a long morning walk with a Reign Storm, carrying a load of clothes around a sample sale, or quickly fleeing from an ex after an awkward encounter at the grocery store.

There are also numerous free online workouts you can tackle from the comfort of your own home.

Myth #2: You must spend hundreds on designer workout clothes.

Sure, pricey workout sets are cute, but honestly, your old high school lacrosse sweats work just fine.

We get it, you want to post a cute pic in matching gear, but is it necessary for your high school English teacher or a random girl you met in a club bathroom to see you made it to the gym?

Honestly, attracting less attention while sweating and catching your breath on the elliptical is probably best.

Myth #3: All energy drinks taste awful.

This isn't true if we're talking about Reign Storm, which is genuinely refreshing.

This zero-sugar energy drink is an excellent way to energize your workouts, especially if you're someone who has to force yourself to hit the gym (like me).

Plus, the caffeine isn't synthetic—it actually comes from coffee plants. Sip it before hitting the gym for a boost that makes exercising feel less daunting.

Myth #4: Running is the ultimate cardio.

I've often associated working out with running, which explains why I dread it so much. In my experience, people either love running or detest it.

The good news is that running isn't the only cardio option. There are plenty of other ways to incorporate cardio into your routine, like wearing ankle weights while vacuuming or doing ten burpees every time a reality TV contestant accuses someone of "not being here for the right reasons."

Myth #5: No pain, no gain.

Like a toxic relationship, if it hurts, you're doing it wrong. While there's always some discomfort involved in getting sweaty, actual pain can signal an injury or overexertion.

If you're bedridden after just three days of your 75 Hard challenge, it might be time to reevaluate your fitness goals.

Source: betches

The opinions shared in the GymNation blog articles are solely those of the respective authors and may not represent the perspectives of GymNation or any member of the GymNation team.